BAGHDAD: Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr said he plans to float a proposal to parliament to criminalise the normalisation of relations with Israel.
“One of the main reasons that prompted me to have the Sadrist movement run in elections again was the issue of normalisation and Israeli ambitions to dominate our beloved Iraq,” al-Sadr said in a Twitter post.
He said his movement and allies will soon unveil a proposal to be put for vote in parliament to criminalise normalisation and dealings with Israel.
Iraq’s Penal Code punishes with death anyone who promotes “Zionist principles” or becomes a member in any institution that promotes its idea. Iraq has no diplomatic relations with Israel, and most of Iraqi political parties oppose normalisation with Tel Aviv.
Last Monday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi threatened to strike “at the heart” of Israel if Tel Aviv makes the “slightest move” against Tehran. Speaking at a military parade marking the National Army Day, Raisi said if Iran’s security is threatened by arch-foe Israel, its armed forces would retaliate strongly.
“Our message to Israel is that if you seek normalization of ties with countries in the region, you must know that even your slightest movements are not hidden from our intelligence, security and military,” Raisi said at the rally attended by top military officials. “And you must know that if you make a slightest move against Iran, the destination of Iran’s armed forces would be the heart of Israel,” he added.
During the ceremony, the Iranian military displayed a range of homegrown weapons, drones and defence systems at the parade on the outskirts of Tehran. Kaman-22, a long-range strategic drone belonging to Iran’s Air Force, which is capable of carrying different kinds of cargo with flight duration of 24 hours, was displayed for the first time. –Agencies
